Children's Book Blog Hop: "DON'T FORGET DEXTER!" by Lindsay Ward -- Review and #Giveaway

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Has your little one ever lost their favorite toy, or gone somewhere where they brought a toy and put it down only to forget it?  My girls always seem to do this.  Even though I tell them not to bring favorite toys or plush animals places outside the house, as I am afraid they will lose them, they want to be comforted and kept company so they have to tote at least one toy around with them.  And, that leaves me with having to keep an eye not only on my girls, but also their toys, so they don't go missing. 

Usually I am on top of watching their toys, but last week during a sick visit at the pediatrician for both of my girls, that was not the case, as my daughter, Savannah, brought one of her favorite puppy plush toys as she wasn't feeling well.  She had it sitting next to her in the waiting room, and when they called my girls' names, we got up and made our way to the exam room, only to leave "Rainbow," the name of her pup in the waiting room.  It wasn't until we left the doctor's office and headed to the lab, the my daughter remembered her toy.  She told me she would be brave when it came to giving blood as she had Rainbow with her.  When she asked for it, I searched my bag and their coats and stuff I had piled in my arms, only to find her toy wasn't there.  We had to rush back to the pediatrician's office and searched all throughout the waiting room.  Luckily, someone spotted it and turned it to the front desk.  Savannah was so happy to be reunited with Rainbow and I was thankful someone was kind enough to turn in, as I knew Savannah would be devastated if it was gone forever.

That night, I read a new book we received in the mail for review called "Don't Forget Dexter," and I couldn't help but smile as I was reading the story to the girls, as it was all about what had happened earlier in the day. But, instead of my girls and I frantically looking for her toy, this story is about the toy looking for their missing owner.  Savannah wondered if Rainbow was nervous like Dexter was, when she was left behind. 

More about this book:

"Introducing Dexter T. Rexter, the toughest, coolest dinosaur ever. At least he likes to think so.

When his best friend, Jack, leaves him behind at the doctor’s office, Dexter T. Rexter panics. First he tries to find Jack. Then he sings their special song. Then he sings their special song even louder. But when Jack still doesn’t appear, Dexter starts to wonder. What if he’s being replaced by another toy? It can’t be—after all, he can STOMP, RAWR, and CHOMP! Right? Right?!

This hilariously neurotic dinosaur will do whatever it takes to get his friend back—even asking the reader’s advice—in this first book of a brand-new series."

• Age Range: 3 - 7 years
• Series: Dexter T. Rexter Series (Book 1)
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Two Lions (January 1, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1542047277
• ISBN-13: 978-1542047272
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 1 x 11 inches

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This story was well-written, and really got the girls thinking that if their toys could talk, what would they do in instances where they are separated from their owner.  My girls really enjoyed this story, and after having experienced forgetting and then reuniting with their favorite toy, it only made reading this cute new children's book that much more fun and enjoyable.

We have only had this book for a couple of days, but it has already become a favorite at bedtime.  And, whenever we read it, we can't help but think back to the other day when Rainbow was left behind in the waiting room.  I guess Mommy needs to bring along an assistant next time, so that there are extra eyes on the toys. :-)

If you are looking for a fun book to share with your children, especially if they love dinosaurs, then you will want to check out this new children's book by Lindsay Ward.  It really is a fun book, and the colorful illustrations really bring the story to life.  This is definitely one book that your children will enjoy having you read to them over and over again.  My girls can't get enough of it, and I know your kids will feel the same way.

---GIVEAWAY---

Thanks to the folks at Two Lions, one lucky Inspired by Savannah reader will win a copy of "Don't Forget Dexter" to share with their child.  

To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author:

Lindsay Ward was inspired to write this book after her husband texted her a photo of a toy dinosaur abandoned at a doctor’s office. The caption read: “Well, they left me here.” Lindsay thought it was so funny that she sat down to write Dexter’s story immediately. She is also the author and illustrator of Brobarians, Henry Finds His Word, and When Blue Met Egg. Her book Please Bring Balloons was also made into a play.

Most days you can find Lindsay writing and sketching at her home in Peninsula, Ohio, where she lives with her family. Learn more about her online at www.LindsayMWard.com  or on Twitter: @lindsaymward.

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Praise for  DON’T FORGET DEXTER!:

★ “Ward’s ink, colored-pencil, and cut-paper illustrations give readers a toy’s view of the world and allow children to stomp in Dexter’s feet for a while, his facial expressions giving them lots of clues to his feelings. Lost and found was never so riotously funny or emotionally draining.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Ward (Brobarians) is as funny as ever as she chronicles her orange hero’s nervous, no-filter state of mind, and her cut-paper, pencil, and ink drawings—with their visual asides, annotations, and shifts in scale—are irrepressible. It’s high anxiety made highly adorable.” —Publishers Weekly

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.